Governor Ivey Announces Alabama Earns Top Honors in National CiCi Awards, Department of Commerce Among Those Recognized for Leadership

MONTGOMERY - Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced that Trade and Industry Development, a leading publication dedicated to site selection for business, has named Alabama projects among the winners of its prestigious 2026 Corporate Investment/Community Impact (CiCi) Awards - with the state landing an impressive three spots on this year's national list.

The Alabama projects were selected from among 30 honorees recognized across the country by the magazine for their significant economic and community contributions.

"Alabama continues to attract world-class companies that are transforming our communities and creating real opportunities for working families," said Governor Ivey. "These honors reflect the hard work of our economic development team and the confidence that leading companies have in our state. We are building a diverse economy that works for every corner of Alabama, and I am proud of the partnerships and leadership that make wins like these possible."

The Alabama projects honored by Trade & Industry Development are:

• Eli Lilly and Company's $6 billion advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Huntsville, earning the publication's Corporate Investment Award. The facility, located on a 260-acre site in Huntsville's Greenbrier South area, will serve as an active pharmaceutical ingredient plant producing small molecule synthetic and peptide medicines, including orforglipron, Lilly's first oral GLP-1 receptor agonist. The project is expected to create 450 permanent jobs - including engineers, scientists and lab technicians - along with an estimated 3,000 construction jobs. Construction is slated to begin in 2026 with completion in 2032, and the more than 1 million square foot multi-building campus represents the largest initial investment in Alabama's history. Lilly selected the Huntsville site from more than 300 applications nationwide, with the site's proximity to the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology - a recognized bioscience campus supporting workforce training and research - being a key factor in the decision. The project is expected to generate an estimated $25 billion in long-term economic impact across the region.

• Bad Boy Tractors' $10.5 million tractor assembly plant in Monroeville, recognized with the Community Impact Award for its transformational effect on the surrounding community and its commitment to rural Alabama. The project, which represents a $10.5 million investment, is expected to create 50 jobs and will be housed in the former Vanity Fair distribution center. Bad Boy plans to produce approximately 9,000 tractors per year at the Monroeville facility. The company, which launched in 2002 and is recognized as the first brand to introduce zero-turn mowers to rural landowners and homeowners at an attainable price, was named Tractor Supply Co.'s top vendor of 2025.

LEADERSHIP RECOGNIZED

In addition to the individual project honors, the Alabama Department of Commerce is being recognized for its leadership in bringing the Eli Lilly project to fruition, a reflection of the team's strategic approach to recruiting high-impact investment to the state.

"This recognition of the Alabama Department of Commerce underscores what I have long said - Alabama is competing and winning at the highest level," said Governor Ivey. "Our team is second to none, and their leadership continues to deliver game-changing projects that strengthen our economy and create opportunity across our state. The future of American industry is being made right here in Alabama, and we are proud to put our name on it."

Having previously worked alongside one another in Alabama's economic development efforts, Governor Ivey appointed Ellen McNair to lead the Department of Commerce with a clear mission: Compete and win. That partnership has delivered results, with projects like Eli Lilly showcasing the strength of their leadership.

"Earning three spots on this year's CiCi list is a testament to the strength of Alabama's business environment and the dedication of our economic development partners at every level," said Secretary McNair. "We are especially proud of the work that made the Eli Lilly project possible, and we remain focused on pursuing opportunities that will continue to raise the bar for our state."

McNair added that Lilly's announcement emphasizes the state's reputation as a global leader in biotechnology.

"The competition for a manufacturing facility of this magnitude is extremely challenging, and this result shows Alabama's pro-business climate, outstanding workforce and strong community support is a winning combination," said Secretary McNair.

Regarding Bad Boy's expansion in Alabama, McNair said the project is a strong vote of confidence in the state's rural areas.

"This is a growth-minded company that sees a bright future in Monroeville, Monroe County and the surrounding area. Bad Boy builds innovative products, and Alabama's workforce is the right choice to help the company achieve its goals," said Secretary McNair.

Trade & Industry Development said the CiCi Awards honor projects that promise - through extensive capital investment or significant community impact - to help shape the communities where they are located. Now in its 20^th year, the awards recognize 30 winning projects in total: 15 in the Corporate Investment category and 15 in the Community Impact category. All winning projects are those announced during the calendar year of 2025.

Corporate Investment winners have all pledged large economic development investments, while Community Impact winners demonstrate a transformational effect on their host communities. The winning projects will be featured in Trade & Industry Development's Q2 issue, available in print and online at TradeAndIndustryDev.com in March of 2026.

"For regions across the U.S. and Canada, the CiCi Awards are an opportunity to highlight projects that are expected to make a difference for communities," said Trade & Industry Development Publisher Scott Swoger. "It's also a great way to highlight the expertise and assistance offered by economic development agencies to prospective investors. We invite you to put your project on a marquee so it can serve as an inspirational case study for other economic development agencies or for investors looking for new sites in which to invest."

Alabama's three projects on this year's list place the state among the top-performing states nationally in the annual rankings.

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